Regulation of lysyl oxidase isoforms by TNF-a in vascular smooth muscle cell and tissues; and biological activity of the lysyl oxidase propeptide in vascular smooth muscle cells

Thesis (D.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2008 (Dept. of Periodontology and Oral Biology).Includes bibliographical references: leaves 130-153.Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of aldehydes from lysine residues in collagen and elastin resulting in cross-linking. LOX plays a very important role in extracellular matrix deposition and maturation. In the context of cardiovascular disease, it has been stated that LOX is up-regulated in fibrotic diseases suggesting that LOX regulation could contribute to cardiovascular diseases. TNF-a is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that controls some of the pathologies associated with the development of atherosclerosis following vascular injury, however, little is known about the effect of this cytokine on the regulation of lysyl oxidase in cardiovascular tissues. [TRUNCATED